Both Russia and China are beginning to make known their desire for the North Koreans to knock off the threats. If Kim isn't careful, his two biggest benefactors will abandon him, and he will soon find himself ousted by the military combined with popular displeasure at new-found deprivation.

I second what SF said. The last time North Korea tested a can of. Instant sunshine, China were the first country to table a resolution for stiffer sanctions at the UN. While China feels oblidged to help its communist fellow traaveller there is no real love for the place. China has moved on a long way since 1953.

If this all kicks off, the fate of the world seems to depend on whether China will join in the fun and games.
To go against the general feeling I am getting here I have considerably less faith that others that China will do nothing.

They are currently engaged in the largest ever wave of cyber attacks by Chinese military on the west. NYtimes article
Their government suffers massive corruption and human rights issues.
They have the second largest army, airforce and navy. (U.S. is first)
Tibet, Tiananmen square, Korean war, Banning democratic party, Taiwan, etc. etc.

You can be confident they have changed if you want. I wouldn't trust them for all the Tea in China.

Carefuk Greenlantern101 , you're beginning to sound as paranoid and xenophobic as the hawks in the White House and Pentagon, who incidentally worry me more than anyone else as far as potential for WWIII is concerned. Perhaps if the western powers spent more time talking to and trying to work with the "nutty powers" on the planet you might sleep better.

Shame they reproduce at the same rate or they would all be dead and the problem would be solved. That said, religion is in heavy decline. But then, again, their gods have given them bigger weapons to play with.

Korea won't be a problem for long, if at all. If they did launch a strike it would be a tragedy for whoever they targeted and for the Korean people, assuming they were successful. America would launch a pinpoint bombing campaign that would totally destroy the Norths military capability within two or three days maximum. China would protest as loudly as possible but do nothing. China needs the purchasing power and consumerism of the West to feed its manufacturing base and growth. They've become the factory to the West and know how important that is to their economy. Of course those who drive a Hyundai will see special meaning in the new pronunciation, 'High and Dry' which is what you'll be if you don't stock up on spares.
The other trouble spot of course is Iran. The West don't need to become involved there, Israel can handle that problem without a doubt. They're good at that sort of thing
If you truly want somewhere to worry about, try Pakistan. It's the one country that really should be a huge worry to everyone. The Taliban have been ever so slowly inching towards having a very real influence on the legitimate government, and the government is weak and could quite possibly become powerless to stop them. With the Taliban's historical links to al-Qaeda I can't think of anything worse. Pakistan has a significant nuclear arsenal and the pairing of the Taliban and al-Qaeda wouldn't hesitate to use it. You can all worry about Korea, not me, I've been worrying about Pakistan for years and will continue to.